Cyprus has been an island divided ever since 1974 when an attempted Greek-inspired coup d’état led the Turkish government to send forces to protect their community in the north.
Ever since then there has been conflict and a UN security force stationed to patrol the 180 km ceasefire line which slices the country in two.
During the subsequent years, many attempts have been made to reunify the island, especially when Cyprus was successful in its bid to join the European Union but none of them ever came to fruition.
Now it seems that things are changing and a very good working relationship has been established between Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci.
UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide said on Tuesday from talks taking place at the UN controlled air base in Nicosia, “It’s not easy. There will be good days and bad days, but with this kind of spirit that I feel here tonight, I think that it is almost impossible to say that peace will not come, because peace really has a chance in Cyprus.”
He added, “With substantive negotiations now at the centre of their work, Mr. Akinci and Mr. Anastasiades reiterated their resolve to reach a comprehensive settlement as soon as possible”.
The leaders are next due to meet on the 10th of July.
